Huayu: Starting from the top talent show

Chapter 598 Global Regionalization Gradually Expands Influence

On the morning of January 25th, Shen Juan's Gulfstream G650ER carried Wang Churan and Shen Yujie from London to Shanghai, China.

Although I have to undergo 14 days of centralized hotel quarantine upon arrival, the time I am released will not affect my ability to go home to spend the Chinese New Year with my parents. The timing of my trip was quite precise.

As for Shen Juan...
He decided to stay in London and continue working.

First, the two of them, Taylor Dua Lipa, visited the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, which was the first hospital in the English-speaking world to have inpatient beds specifically for children. It focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of various rare and complex childhood diseases, covering multiple professional fields, and often receives donations from all walks of life.

Shen Juan symbolically donated one million pounds this time for the welfare of sick children. Although he did not know how much of the money would actually be put into practice, this is the rule of foreigners or the upper class of humanity as a whole. If you don’t pay, why should they accept you?

For example, Li Ka-shing, the richest man in Hong Kong, obtained the British KBE (one level higher than Shen Juan) and the French Legion of Honour Commander (the highest honor awarded to foreigners, two levels higher than Shen Juan) by relying on his philanthropic strategy (donating money to invest wildly, and even donating ancient Chinese artifacts to French museums).

For example, didn't the Russian oligarchs only gain a temporary foothold in Spain by investing heavily in Chelsea?
It can only be said that the ethereal influence and value are still different from the tangible impact and investment of the British pound.

However, it didn't really matter to Shen Juan.

After all, he only needed this identity.

As the next two permanent members of the UN Security Council, Britain and France, though now defunct, were once major colonial empires with considerable influence in many countries and regions around the world, much like ancient Rome in Europe and ancient China in East Asia. Even after their collapse, their influence on neighboring countries and regions remains.

So, just like collecting various items in a game, the endorsement of Britain and France might come in handy at times.

But that doesn't mean he's going to make this path work.

He was well aware of his current situation.

Unless it is exceptional, he is destined to be unable to enter the core circle of Western European countries, and everything he does will be in vain.

Given this, he certainly wouldn't pay too much attention to these two medals of honor that had caused such a stir in the outside world.

Back to the topic
Under the guidance of medical staff, Shen Juan and his two companions first visited the hospital's treatment areas and children's activity spaces. Along the way, they listened attentively to the medical staff's introduction of the hospital's special features in the diagnosis and treatment of children's diseases, as well as the important role that donations from caring people from all walks of life have played in equipment upgrades and environmental improvements.

The three then went to the wards to interact with the patients, giving the children carefully prepared gifts. They eased the children's anxiety about treatment by talking softly, playing games, and sharing interesting stories. They also had a brief conversation with some of the patients' families to understand their needs and difficulties.

It is worth mentioning that most of the parents and family members of the patients at this children's hospital are young adults in their twenties and thirties who are familiar with the internet. Therefore, to some extent, Shen Juan and his two companions were even more popular among the parents than among the children. They also took many autographs and photos with the patients' families.

After completing the morning's charity activities and having lunch, Shen Juan said goodbye to them and began his personal activities in the afternoon.

BBC's "The One Show".

It is divided into outdoor performances and indoor recordings.

Although it was called an outdoor performance, it was actually similar to the Seine River concert a while ago. Both were small-scale performances held under very strict epidemic prevention and control measures. There were only about fifty audience members, and most of them were family members of staff members of the TV station who obtained the qualifications through connections.

Therefore, the situation on site was roughly the same.

But once inside...
The situation is quite different.

"Welcome to The One Show on Monday, which airs on the BBC. I'm co-hosting with Claire Amphlett!"

"This is Alex Jones! Tonight, we welcome a legend in the world of pop music, known worldwide for his globally popular music, his captivating stage presence, and his significant contributions to philanthropy. He has long been a cultural icon that transcends borders and races."

"That's right, Alex Shen is here, and he's also brought his good friend, the equally popular pop star DuaLipa. They will introduce Alex's charity EP, which will be released on Valentine's Day, February 14th, as well as his regular album, which is still in production and whose release date has not yet been determined."

"Please welcome Alex Shen and Dua Lipa!"

Accompanied by light and cheerful music, the tired male god and the slapstick male king, dressed in simple casual clothes, walked into the studio through the main entrance.

"Oh my god! A superstar is walking towards me, I think we should ask for an autograph or a photo or something, you know?"

I completely understand how you feel right now!

After the two guests were seated on the sofa, host Alex Jones picked up the cue cards and began to move on to the next part of the program.

“Yesterday, a viewer contacted us and said that he was really grateful to Alex and Dua for releasing Sisyphus and Future Nostalgia during the pandemic. They really gave us a wonderful time at home.”

"So I really hope to see them collaborate in my lifetime. Of course, provided it's not as disappointing as Alex and Taylor's collaboration on 'ME!' two years ago."

Upon hearing this, everyone present burst into laughter. Shen Juan also laughed and retorted, "This is disrespectful to the song 'ME!' I love this song. It's like my child. I've watched it grow from an embryo into a fully grown adult. You can't let a father speak ill of his child!"

He's been teased a lot about this song "Toilet Honey" over the past two years, to the point that he's gotten used to it. But what he's really curious about is that the song is Taylor's, and he's just a collaborator. Why is it that people only tease him and not Taylor?
Just because you're making fun of Taylor Swift about this, Taylor, who has been hurt by the negative reviews of this song, will break down. But if you're making fun of him, won't he, who has multiple hit singles and is full of confidence, break down?

That's really speechless.
"But 'You' became the most disappointing collaboration single of 2019 worldwide. Many people said the lyrics were too childish, the music video's theme was too colorful, and its commercial performance was also disappointing. It is the collaboration single with the lowest streaming numbers on Sound! to date in your career."

"Well, after all, you know that strictly speaking, he's adopted, so he's not quite the same as my biological son." Shen Juan shrugged at the camera to express his helplessness.

He found that he often only needed to replicate LeBron James's words and actions to show a sense of humor that made the audience laugh. Perhaps this is because our LeBron James is naturally very humorous?

The host smiled and waved his hand, trying to smooth things over in a relaxed tone: "Alright, alright, let's get back to the main topic. What everyone is more concerned about right now is your new charity EP that you're about to release on Valentine's Day, and the AS4 album that hasn't had a specific release date announced yet. Could you tell us about your feelings and experiences when you were making them?"

Shen Juan's smile faded slightly, and his tone became much more serious: "Although we can sit here and enjoy peace right now, there are still many people in this world who are trapped by the smoke of war, the chaos of life, the torment of illness, and poverty. Every time I think of these things, I feel a deep desire to do something, even if it's just a small help. So all the proceeds from this EP will still be donated to children's charities. I chose to release it on Valentine's Day to convey my feelings. Love is not only between couples, but can also be passed on to children who need warmth, so that they can feel that someone cares about them."

It turns out that charity can really be addictive.

The feeling of helping others out of their predicament, changing their terrible situation, and intervening in their future is truly wonderful.

Shen Juan was already deeply immersed in it and unable to extricate himself.

"So, Dua, what about you?" Alex Jones immediately turned the conversation to Dua Lipa, whose eyes were growing increasingly moist as she looked at Shen Juan: "We all know that you've collaborated with many outstanding singers and musicians throughout your career. So, what's it like working with Alex this time? Does it feel different from before? Just tell me briefly."

Upon hearing this question, Dua Lipa's eyes immediately lit up: "There's only one word to describe how I felt when I received Alex's call and learned that he wanted to collaborate with me. Oh my god! It's so comfortable to work with him! He's not the kind of person who thinks he's the boss and everyone has to listen to him. On the contrary, he always calls me before making any changes to the lyrics or music to ask for my thoughts and opinions. He's also incredibly patient. When I'm struggling to find my footing, he proactively calls me to offer valuable advice and comfort. It's a really reassuring feeling."

This statement is partly true and partly false.

Although Shen Juan had only spent a limited amount of time with her and they weren't particularly close, he had left a very good impression on her, which planted the seed in her mind to deepen their relationship and strengthen their friendship.

Another Black host immediately chimed in with a laugh: "From what you're saying, it sounds like you're about to start praising Alex like Ariana Grande and Lil Nas X did. So Dua, why don't you take this opportunity to tell everyone what Alex is really like in your eyes?"

Dua Lipa's smile widened, and without any hesitation, she said in an undisguised tone of admiration, "First of all, I don't need to praise his creative talent. I think everyone can see it. He is almost omnipotent. I even sometimes wonder if he comes from outer space, hahaha!"

"What's even more admirable is his character. We went to the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital this morning, and you can see what happened online. Anyway, as someone who was closely following Shen Juan and observing his interactions with the children, I can only say that he is almost perfect! I swear, he is absolutely the most meticulous, patient, and gentle man I have ever met!"

"So now I understand why Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift love working with him so much. There's absolutely no pressure. I mean, this man will handle everything perfectly and then leave you with an absolutely comfortable and reassuring environment! It's simply fascinating!"

(Slap) Looking at the tired, silky eyes.

The recording of the program came to an end at 5 p.m.

Considering that the CCTV film crew sent to the UK to shoot a documentary about Wrexham would be arriving tonight, and as the "host" who had arrived in London earlier, it would be best to entertain them if possible. Therefore, Shen Juan declined Pa Jie's dinner invitation, whose eyes were full of lewdness the whole time, and resolutely chose to leave.

On his way to the restaurant, Shen Juan started reading the news.

Billboard's Hot 100 Weekly Chart is out.

His "Easy On Me" remains at number one.

YaYa's "drivers license" is still stuck in the second place.

The controversies surrounding the love triangle between Ya Ya and her sister Joshua, and Shen Juan's angry suppression of his young fan's debut single, continue.

Some say that Shen Juan's collaboration with Jiangmei on a Christmas single is an act of supporting a third party who interferes in a relationship, and that Shen Juan thinks there's nothing wrong with promoting a new artist from his label; others say that Shen Juan deliberately chose to release his song in January to suppress Ya Ya, another new artist who also released a song in January, but the problem is that Shen Juan was the one who released his song first.

It can only be said that Disney's marketing is really effective. They managed to boost Ya Ya's popularity by relying on the love triangle and the connection with Shen Juan.

In addition, there is a tradition in the North American music scene of seniors mentoring juniors, and older artists who hinder the development of newcomers are sometimes even tortured.

So in this environment, the public has forgotten that he forwarded Ya Ya's cover video to attract her traffic. Now, it seems that Shen Juan is an industry bully who can't stand to see newcomers succeed and deliberately suppresses them because he doesn't give way to his juniors and doesn't let the "popular" "drivers license" be crowned for a week.

My buddy seems to have become the most heinous original sin in this world.

Of course, they argued and made a fuss as they pleased.

Anyway, Shen Juan wouldn't take this kind of trivial matter to heart, and he was too lazy to even respond, not wanting to give it any attention.

After all, he didn't do anything wrong.

You can't apologize to all your peers in the world just because you're too strong, have too many fans, and have too good data performance, right?

Besides, with so many people cursing him, so many mindless followers, and so many sword-headed people rejecting him because of racial issues, one more reason to keep cursing him wouldn't make a difference. He put away his phone and stretched.

Just as Shen Juan was about to close his eyes and take a nap, Yangyang Jin handed him her work tablet, which contained the items she had compiled over the past two days that needed Shen Juan's personal confirmation.

No way.

Shen Juan had no choice but to pull himself together and fight for a while longer.

Domestically, "Explosive Stage," "Fifty Kilometers of Peach Blossom Village," and "Cute Detective" are all about to start recording.

Therefore, the permanent members need to be selected.

The explosive stage is easy to solve; just stuff the idol singers from the company, like Liu Xiening and Shan Yichun, into it.

Although Cheng Xiao and Ju Jingyi were once idols, things are different now. Their current status and popularity far exceed those of their colleagues. Being a regular on this show and having meetings with unknown people would not only affect their image, but would also force them to provide financial assistance to others and allow them to leech off others.

However, it's fine to go there occasionally for fun.

After all, a stage is a scarce resource in the Chinese entertainment industry.

In the absence of concerts and music festivals, producing a few more beautiful stages is never a bad thing.

"Fifty Kilometers of Peach Blossom Village" still just needs to find a bunch of T3-level newbies within the company to get exposure and make their faces known.

This kind of large-scale, multi-person variety show is perfect for nurturing newcomers.

As for "Detective Meng Detective Cases".
This program is quite different.

Because the plan was to use Shen Juan's connections to invite many big-name celebrities to be regular guests, and the regular spots were quite valuable, Shen Juan intended to reserve them for Wang Chuan and Xiao Hu, who hadn't had much exposure to variety shows and would have important film and television works released next year.

As for Sister Tian, ​​Xiao Xiao, and Xiao Ye, who are ranked T1 in the Starlink artist rating, they can just come as guest stars for a couple of episodes occasionally.

Anyway, they all have better regular variety shows: Sister Tian has Back to Field and Female Supporters, Xiao Xiao has Running Man and Female Supporters, and Xiao Ye got the Chinese Restaurant resource in Q3 this year. Since the sisters are all eating so well, there is no need to compete with the hungry Wang Chuan and Xiao Hu for food. Eating too much by one person is more likely to cause public anger.

Raising fish to build a harem is actually quite similar to being an emperor. Both the so-called treacherous and loyal ministers can be put to use, they are just in different positions, and both must learn the art of checks and balances. Even if one party has made great contributions and is loyal to him, he cannot sit idly by and let it become the only one in power.

After all, an unbalanced state can never last long.

So I can only let Sister Tian suffer, and I'll take the blame.

Then the South Korean branch
NewJeans' debut was absolutely phenomenal!
Not only did they break many impressive records like their boss, but they also became the most formidable newcomer of the 20s.

She even directly confronted Aespa, who was trained by SM Entertainment, and avenged her boss for Yoo Jimin's foul talk!
As a result, fans of Zha (aespa's nickname) and Whale (NewJeans' nickname) engaged in a fierce and heated battle.

What Shen Juan needs to consider now is...
Should we increase investment in NewJeans and provide this impressive new group with more generous treatment?

Actually, if we only consider profit and loss, Shen Juan could have stopped now. No matter how amazing a newly debuted K-pop group is, they don't have a strong earning power unless they can successfully break into the US and expand globally or conquer the Japanese market and make a killing off Fukuzawa Yukichi, which is obviously unrealistic.

Venturing into America and Japan came later.

Initial development should focus on South Korea.

But as the first girl group independently nurtured and successfully debuted by Starlink, NewJeans' significance is ultimately different.

Therefore, Shen Juan still made an irrational decision.

Just like a father raising a daughter.

He wanted to give them everything he hadn't been able to enjoy when he first debuted, treating his younger self to a feast.

Arrive at the destination and get off the bus.

I met with the CCTV documentary team and, while waiting for our food, we had a brief chat about the general process and framework.

Then, transforming into a solitary gourmet, I start eating!
There's an old saying that goes something like that.

Full, warm and lustful.

When people's material needs are fully met and they no longer have to worry about survival, they are prone to developing ideas of indulging in pleasure and pursuing sensory desires. This is essentially a shift from the most basic survival needs to higher-level desires, which may be the ultimate experience of taste or the pursuit of sex.

That's why a large number of pilots and miners were born.

But Shen Juan definitely won't be able to take off.

From the moment he built the fishpond, he knew that the plane that existed in the void had already drifted far away from him.

His left and right bodyguards could no longer show off.

It's truly a pity.
After enjoying an authentic Chinese meal, we filled our stomachs.

Shen Juan first stretched out a yawn that was so elegant it was almost unfair in the eyes of the female staff members sent by CCTV. Then, with the double boost of super high testosterone levels and the desire for sex after being well-fed and warm, he started chatting with the CCTV special correspondent who had met him once before in Madrid.

Do you often get sent abroad by your station?

"This is my first time taking on a special mission abroad." Seemingly not expecting Shen Juan to take the initiative to talk to her, Ma Fanshu put down her wine glass in a slightly flustered manner and quickly shook her head. But when she looked up and saw Shen Juan's face, she couldn't help but tremble, and her breathing became more and more rapid.

If the pursuit of beauty is human nature...

At that moment, she felt that she had truly touched upon this nature that haunts the dreams of countless girls.

"Aren't you the host of 'World Football'? Have you been recording in the studio all the time? Didn't they assign you any field trips?" Shen Juan was already used to being stared at with surprised looks, so he simply took out a tissue and handed it to her, who had just finished eating and hadn't had time to wipe her mouth yet.

"Well, the station rarely assigns me tasks outside the station. Even when they do, it's usually within the country. But if I do a good job this time, maybe I'll be sent to the World Cup next year!" Ma Fanshu took a tissue and gently wiped her mouth, trying her best to appear at least composed and reserved.

"So you mean if I don't cooperate with your work, you won't be able to get promoted to Qatar?" Shen Juan raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Um, that's about right."

"Don't worry, you'll definitely see me in Qatar next year." Shen Juan's voice was filled with unwavering certainty.

"you mean"

Shen Juan explained softly, "Qatar is an Asian country, and the entire West Asia region has been trying to integrate with the international community in various ways over the years. Therefore, they don't have many choices for the World Cup theme song singer. After all, there are not many Asian singers who have real international influence."

"Has it been finalized yet?"

"Unless I die before the World Cup."

"All right."

Indeed, Shen Juan can get tens of millions of US dollars in national endorsement fees from the Middle Eastern tycoons every year. It's like he's doing a part-time job promoting the oil tycoons internationally. Given this close cooperation, it's natural that the oil tycoons would continue to choose Shen Juan when hosting the World Cup.

In fact, after developing the entire Asia-Pacific region into his loyal fan base, Shen Juan has also been expanding his influence in other regions: North America is the key battleground, and this time he will make a small splash in Western Europe by awarding medals to Britain and France. He will leave the sparsely populated or economically underdeveloped regions of Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia and Latin America to deal with later, since all of them combined may not account for 5% of the global record market.

As for Africa
The black guys don't speak the same language.

It would be good to go there and do some charity work when you have time.

There's no need to cultivate haters in the physical sense.

We drank and chatted until a little after nine o'clock in the evening.

After the dinner party ended, everyone went home and found their own mothers.

On her way back to the hotel, Ma Fanshu suddenly received a WeChat message from Shen Juan with the hotel address and room number.

what does this mean?
There's no need to spell it out.

It seems the rumors online were true; Shen Juan does indeed have questionable conduct, frequently inviting people for late-night runs.
However, being able to eat such a top-notch man is a win for me, and hesitating for even a second would be disrespectful to the cat.

So Ma Fanshu simply asked the driver to change the destination.

She absolutely has to take Shen Juan to visit her primary school tonight!
Her elementary school must be filled with the sound of students reading aloud tonight!

Her tax issues must be resolved tonight!

(End of this chapter)